Who will win in Kalamazoo?

Here is how today’s game in Kalamazoo shapes up, with Ed Daigneault’s pick for the game in the video below. Look for a full report on the game in print, at rep-am.com and on the Time Out Blog today:

UConn (2-1) at Western Michigan (1-2)

When: 2:30 p.m. today

Where: Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, Mich.

TV, Radio: ESPN3, www.mac-sports.com, WTIC-AM 1080

Series: Tied, 1-1.

Worth noting:UConn plays a second Mid-American Conference opponent. It topped UMass in the

Western Michigan beat the Huskies at Rentschler Field last year.

opener. The Huskies play a third game against a MAC foe next week when Buffalo visits Rentschler Field … Western Michigan rolled up nearly 500 yards of offense last year in taking a 38-31 victory at Rentschler Field … UConn running backs coach and special teams coordinator Clayton White was an assistant at Western Michigan in 2006 … The Huskies are 18-3 against MAC teams since making the move to the FBS in 2002 … Western Michigan’s defensive coordinator is Rich Nagy, the younger brother of former UConn baseball star Charles Nagy, who pitched in the major leagues for 14 years … Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit beat UConn three times as a player at Delaware in the early 1970s.

Scouting report

UConn will win if: It can stop Western Michigan from passing the ball over the place. Defense is rarely an issue for the Huskies. They have been outstanding thus far, especially against the run. The Broncos aren’t likely to run much, which will put the Huskies in a situation where they will have to play multiple defensive backs. UConn has the talent to do that but the Huskies haven’t really been tested in the passing game yet. If they pass today, they should win the game.

Western Michigan will win if: Quarterback Alex Carder can avoid pressure and find receivers. UConn’s offense is challenged, obviously, so it’s imperative to keep the Broncos from scoring a bunch of points. That sounds simple but the defense has taken on so much already. It might have to take on more today. Carder is an accurate guy with good velocity on his throws who can do some damage against good defenses. The Huskies up front need to put pressure on him and keep him from getting into any kind of a rhythm.

Key matchups

UConn O line vs. WMU D line: Yes, going here again because the Huskies have to find some sort of running game to control the ball and keep it away from the Western Michigan offense.

UConn DBs vs. Western Michigan WRs: Western Michigan’s receivers are young but they have talent. UConn’s secondary is experienced. Which wins?.

UConn DEs vs. WMU D line: Trevardo Williams will be just fine but Tim Willman steps in for the injured Jesse Joseph. Important for Willman to keep contain.

Breaking it down

UConn leads the country in tackles for loss with 32.

Goofy note of the day: Western Michigan’s Antoin Scriven has eight career touchdowns, all 1-yard rushes.

UConn cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson is expected to play after sitting out last week with a hamstring issue.